Man charged following death of Sussex cyclist

A man has been charged with multiple offences including driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol following the death of cyclist in Sussex earlier this year.

Antoney Colley, aged 53 and a night security officer, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision which happened at around 6.20am on Sunday 26 May on the A2690 Combe Valley Way near Bexhill.

Sussex Police have confirmed that 34-year-old construction worker Matthew Gardiner, from Bexhill, was charged on Friday with the following offences:

Causing death by dangerous driving

Causing death while driving without due care and attention and at the time, was unfit to drive through drugs

Causing death while driving without due care and attention and at the time, was under the influence of alcohol.

Gardiner has been released on conditional bail and is due to appear at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on 16 October.

After Mr Coley’s death, his family released a statement through Sussex Police in which they paid tribute to him.

“Antoney was one of a kind, he would do anything for his family and friends,” they said “His work colleagues at the Sussex Exchange always spoke highly of him.

“Antoney was a friendly, caring person, he was generous and would always be willing to help even strangers. He loved to talk to everyone. He enjoyed his music, both listening and playing. He loved to walk his dogs every morning on his return from work.

“Antoney was a wonderful husband, step-dad and step-grandad, and he took pride in talking about his family, especially his grandchildren.

“We have a gaping hole that can never be filled, as he was so tragically taken from us, but will live on in our hearts forever,” they added.

“We cannot thank the emergency services enough and the care that he received at the scene for doing all that was possible for Antoney.”

Simon has been news editor at road.cc since 2009, reporting on 10 editions and counting of pro cycling’s biggest races such as the Tour de France, stories on issues including infrastructure and campaigning, and interviewing some of the biggest names in cycling. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, his background has proved invaluable in reporting on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, and the bike industry. He splits his time between London and Cambridge, and loves taking his miniature schnauzer Elodie on adventures in the basket of her Elephant Bike.